Blackberry plant named ‘Columbia Sunrise’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct blackberry cultivar that originated from seed produced from a cross between the female blackberry plant ‘NZ 9629-1’ (unpatented) and the male parent blackberry plant ‘ORUS 1939-2’ (unpatented). This new blackberry cultivar can be distinguished by its medium to high yields of medium-large and very sweet flavored berries with good firmness and color and that are the earliest ripening, completely thornless blackberry that we are aware of.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: ‘COLUMBIASUNRISE’ is a blackberry plant that is Rubus subg. Rubus Watson.

Variety denomination: The new blackberry plant claimed is of the varietydenominated ‘Columbia Sunrise’ Rubus subg. Rubus Watson.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct blackberry cultivardesignated ‘Columbia Sunrise’ and botanically known as Rubus subg. RubusWatson. This new blackberry cultivar was discovered in Corvallis, Oreg.in July 2008 and originated from a cross between the female blackberryplant ‘NZ 9629-1’ (unpatented) and the male parent blackberry plant‘ORUS 1939-2’ (unpatented). ‘Columbia Sunrise’s spinelessness is derivedfrom ‘Lincoln Logan’ (unpatented) that can be found as a parent four andfive generations back in ‘Columbia Sunrise’s pedigree. The originalseedling of the new cultivar was asexually propagated at a nursery inBenton County, Oreg. The new cultivar was established in vitro from acane cutting, and microcuttings have been taken and rooted from thissort of culture. The present invention has been found to be stable andto reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new blackberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographsthat show the fruit of the plant and machine harvested fruit, as well ascanes and entire plants; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 shows a section of a spineless primocane and a leaf.

FIG. 2 shows typical fruit in a fruit cluster in the field.

FIG. 3 shows typical hand-harvested fruit of ‘Columbia Sunrise’ (left)compared to ‘Black Diamond’ (unpatented) (right).

FIG. 4 shows an entire 4-year old plant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following description of ‘Columbia Sunrise’ is based on observationstaken from 2011 to 2016 growing seasons in trials in Corvallis andAurora, Oreg. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology.Color designations, color descriptions and other phenotypicaldescriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptionsdepending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic andcultural conditions. ‘Columbia Sunrise’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. Color terminology follows The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. London (R.H.S.) (5^(th) edition,2007).

Table 1 shows plant characteristics of the new cultivar. Characteristicsinclude plant vigor, growth habit, date of full bloom, date 50% of fruitwere ripe, weight of primary fruit, and winter tolerance in Aurora,Oreg. (45° 16′ 49″ N/122° 44′ 50″ W) and Lynden, Wash. (48° 56′ 48″N/122° 27′ 2″ W).

TABLE 1 Plant Characteristics of ‘Columbia Sunrise’. CharacteristicColumbia Sunrise Plant vigor High compared to Black Diamond Growth habitTrailing Date full bloom 5 May, early compared to Marion Date 50% offruit were ripe 5 July, early compared to Black Diamond Weight ofprimary fruit 8.15 g (larger than Marion) Winter tolerance in Aurora,Oregon Good-very good (45° 16′ 49″ N/122° 44′ 50″ W) Winter tolerance inLynden, Washington Good (similar to Marion) (48° 56′ 48″ N/122° 27′ 2″W)

Table 2 shows floricane and mature primocane characteristics of the newcultivar. Characteristics include diameter at base, diameter atmidpoint, diameter at terminus, internode length at base, internodelength at midpoint, internode length at terminus, presence of spinesfurther than 0.6 m from the soil surface, presence of spines less than0.6 m from the soil surface, floricane color at base, floricane color atmidpoint, floricane color at terminus, floricane lateral length,floricane lateral strength, primocane color at base, primocane color atmidpoint, primocane color at terminus, floricane length, and floricanelength (range).

TABLE 2 Floricane and Mature Primocane Characteristics of ‘ColumbiaSunrise’. Characteristic Columbia Sunrise Diameter at base 1.27 cmDiameter at midpoint 0.89 cm Diameter at terminus 0.39 cm Internodelength at base 4.60 cm Internode length at midpoint 7.27 cm Internodelength at terminus 8.25 cm Presence of spines further than 0.6 m Absentfrom the soil surface Presence of spines less than 0.6 m from Absent thesoil surface Floricane color at base 200A Floricane color at midpoint146C Floricane color at terminus 144B Floricane lateral lengthMedium-long Floricane lateral strength Medium Primocane color at base144B with tint 178A Primocane color at midpoint 146C Primocane color atterminus 146C Floricane length 3.26 m Floricane length (range) 1.51-4.59m

Table 3 shows primocane foliage characteristics of the new cultivar.Primocane characteristics include mature compound leaf width, maturecompound leaf length, number of leaflets per primocane compound leaf,mature leaflet shape, mature leaflet apex, mature leaflet base, matureterminal leaflet width, mature terminal leaflet length, mature firstlateral leaflet width, mature first lateral leaflet length, leafletmargin, leaflet serration teeth length, leaflet serration teeth width atbase, spine presence on leaves, pubescence on primocane leaflet uppersurface, pubescence on primocane leaflet undersurface, primocane leafcolor abaxial, primocane leaf color adaxial, petiole length, petiolecolor: upper surface, petiole color: undersurface, petiolule lengthterminal leaflet, petiolule length first distal leaflet, petiolule colorabaxial, petiolule color adaxial, stipule length, stipule width, andstipule attitude.

TABLE 3 Primocane Foliage Characteristics of ‘Columbia Sunrise’.Characteristic Columbia Sunrise Mature compound leaf width 17.78 cm Mature compound leaf length 13.87 cm  Number of leaflets per primocane7.00 compound leaf Mature leaflet shape Cordate Mature leaflet apexBroadly acuminate Mature leaflet base Rounded to cordate; distal oftenoblique Mature terminal leaflet width 6.34 cm Mature terminal leafletlength 8.03 cm Mature first lateral leaflet width 3.23 cm Mature firstlateral leaflet length 5.38 cm Leaflet margin Double serrate Leafletserration teeth length 0.22 cm Leaflet serration teeth width at base0.26 cm Spine presence on leaves No Pubescence on primocane leaflet:Light pubescent. Hairs short upper surface and soft Pubescence onprimocane leaflet: Puberulent-dense mat undersurface Primocane leafcolor abaxial 146A Primocane leaf color adaxial 147B Petiole length 8.15cm Petiole color: upper surface 166A Petiole color: undersurface 145APetiolule length: terminal leaflet 1.14 cm Petiolule length: firstdistal leaflet Sessile Petiolule color: abaxial 149B Petiolule color:adaxial 149B Stipule length 1.26 cm Stipule width 0.18 cm Stipuleattitude Erect, sometimes recurved, often crossed

Table 4 shows floricane foliage characteristics of the new cultivar.Floricane characteristics include mature compound leaf width, maturecompound leaf length, number of leaflets per floricane compound leaf,mature leaflet shape, mature leaflet apex, mature leaflet base, matureterminal leaflet width, mature terminal leaflet length, mature firstlateral leaflet width, mature first lateral leaflet length, leafletmargin, leaflet serration teeth length, leaflet serration teeth width atbase, pubescence on floricane leaflet: upper surface, pubescence onfloricane leaflet undersurface, floricane leaf color abaxial, floricaneleaf color adaxial, petiole length, petiole color adaxial, petiole colorabaxial, petiolule length terminal leaflet, petiolule length firstdistal leaflet, petiolule color abaxial, petiolule color adaxial,stipule length, and stipule width.

TABLE 4 Floricane Foliage Characteristics of ‘Columbia Sunrise’.Characteristic Columbia Sunrise Mature compound leaf width 12.98 cm Mature compound leaf length 11.62 cm  Number of leaflets per floricane3, sometimes 4 compound leaf Mature leaflet shape Cordate Mature leafletapex Broadly acute to broadly acuminate Mature leaflet base CordateMature terminal leaflet width 6.40 cm Mature terminal leaflet length7.78 cm Mature first lateral leaflet width 5.00 cm Mature first lateralleaflet length 6.93 cm Leaflet margin Serrate Leaflet serration teethlength 0.35 cm Leaflet serration teeth width at base 0.32 cm Pubescenceon floricane leaflet: Yes; light upper surface Pubescence on floricaneleaflet: Yes; light undersurface Floricane leaf color abaxial 137BFloricane leaf color adaxial 147B Petiole length 5.92 cm Petiole coloradaxial 146B Petiole color abaxial 146B Petiolule length terminalleaflet 1.45 cm Petiolule length first distal leaflet 1.58 cm Petiolulecolor: abaxial 145A Petiolule color: adaxial 145A Stipule length 0.95 cmStipule width 0.13 cm

Table 5 shows flower and flowering characteristics of the new cultivar.Flower and flowering characteristics include date 1^(st) bloom, datefull bloom, date last bloom, petal color, number flowers per cluster,number of petals per flower, flower diameter, petal length, petal width,number of sepals per flower, peduncle length, rachis length, pedunclecolor, and cyme type.

TABLE 5 Flower and Flowering Characteristics of ‘Columbia Sunrise’.Characteristic Columbia Sunrise Date 1^(st) bloom 28-Apr Date full bloom 5-May Date last bloom 19-May Petal color 155C Number flowers percluster 4.67 Number of petals per flower 5.00 Flower diameter 3.40 cmPetal length 1.47 cm Petal width 1.09 cm Number of sepals per flower5.33 Peduncle length 21.50 cm  Rachis length 15.02 cm  Peduncle color146C Cyme type Elongate simple cyme

Table 6 shows fruit and fruiting characteristics of the new cultivar.Fruit and fruiting characteristics include date 5% of fruit were ripe,date 50% of fruit were ripe, date 95% of fruit were ripe, weight ofprimary fruit, weight of secondary fruit, weight of tertiary fruit,diameter of primary fruit at equator, diameter of 2° fruit at equator,diameter of 3° fruit at equator, diameter of 1° fruit at poles: tip,diameter of 1° fruit at poles: base, diameter of 2° fruit at poles: tip,diameter of 2° fruit at poles: base, diameter of 3° fruit at poles: tip,diameter of 3° fruit at poles: base, berry length primary fruit, berrylength 2° fruit, berry length 3° fruit, ratio of primary fruit length towidth, shape description, uniformity of berry shape, color when fullripe, number of drupelets per fruit, drupelet weight, individual seedweight, glossiness, firmness, flavor, texture of fruit when chewed,drupelet skin resistance to abrasion, ease of separation of fruit frompedicel, machine harvestability, resistance to heat damage of fruit,berries per inflorescence—mean, berries per inflorescence range, solublesolids (%; in brix), pH, titratable acidity (% as citric acid), andyield (actual kg·plt⁻¹).

TABLE 6 Fruit and Fruiting Characteristics of ‘Columbia Sunrise’.Characteristic Columbia Sunrise Date 5% of fruit were ripe 25 June Date50% of fruit were ripe  5 July Date 95% of fruit were ripe 19 JulyWeight of primary fruit 8.15 g Weight of secondary fruit 7.77 g Weightof tertiary fruit 8.38 g Diameter of primary fruit at equator 2.00 cmDiameter of 2° fruit at equator 1.88 cm Diameter of 3° fruit at equator1.92 cm Diameter of 1° fruit at poles: tip 1.25 cm Diameter of 1° fruitat poles: base 1.64 cm Diameter of 2° fruit at poles: tip 1.46 cmDiameter of 2° fruit at poles: base 1.81 cm Diameter of 3° fruit atpoles: tip 1.00 cm Diameter of 3° fruit at poles: base 1.79 cm Berrylength primary fruit 3.50 cm Berry length 2° fruit 3.31 cm Berry length3° fruit 3.76 cm Ratio of primary fruit length to width  1.75 Shapedescription Conical Uniformity of berry shape Excellent Color when fullripe 202A Number of drupelets per fruit 104.83 Total seed weight perfruit 200.57 mg Individual seed weight  1.93 mg Glossiness Medium glossyto dull Firmness Moderate Flavor Excellent Texture of fruit when chewedExcellent Drupelet skin resistance to abrasion Good Ease of separationof fruit from Easy pedicel Machine harvestability Excellent Resistanceto heat damage of fruit Good Berries per inflorescence-mean  6.50Berries per inflorescence range 5-8 Soluble solids (%; in Brix)  13.00pH  3.40 Titratable acidity (% as citric acid)  18.30 Yield (actual kg ·p1t⁻¹)  4.7 

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘Columbia Sunrise’ differs from the female parent ‘NZ 9629-1’(unpatented) in that ‘Columbia Sunrise’ has medium-sized, glossy, fruit(8.2 g), while ‘NZ 9629-1’ has slightly pubescent fruit that are smaller(4.5 g).

‘Columbia Sunrise’ differs from the male parent blackberry plant ‘ORUS1939-2’ (unpatented) in that it is spineless, has conic and sweetberries and moderate to high yields, while ‘ORUS 1939-2’ (unpatented) isspiny and has barrel shaped berries that tend to have a higher incidenceof purple vs black fruit and moderate yields.

‘Columbia Sunrise’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Marion’(unpatented) in that ‘Columbia Sunrise’ is spineless, very earlyripening and has medium-large (8.2 g), firm fruit while ‘Marion’ isspiny and ripens the crop in midseason and has medium yields of mediumsized (5.0 g), and soft fruit that are unevenly shaped. ‘ColumbiaSunrise’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Black Diamond’(unpatented) in that ‘Columbia Sunrise’ carries the ‘Lincoln Logan’(unpatented) source of spinelessness and therefore the canes arecompletely spineless and the plants are vigorous with medium-large (8.2g) fruit that are an excellent, sweet, aromatic flavor, while ‘BlackDiamond’ (unpatented) carries the ‘Austin Thornless’ (unpatented) sourceof spinelessness and so has spines on the base of the canes and theplants are not vigorous and they produce smaller (5.2 g) fruit with amild flavor. ‘Columbia Sunrise’ differs from the commercial variety‘Columbia Star’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,532) based predominantly onhaving less uniformly shaped and sweeter fruit that ripen 7 daysearlier.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of blackberry plant,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its mediumto high yields of medium-large and very sweet flavored berries with goodfirmness and color and that are the earliest ripening, completelythornless cultivar that we are aware of.